Host an Event : Recruit at Northwestern

Host an Event

Event Formats

Employer events are a great way for your organization to connect with Northwestern students. Popular formats include:

Coffee Chats
Corporate Presentations (Information Sessions)
Educational Workshops
Industry Panels
Lunch & Learns
Networking Nights
Webinars

Please reach out to your Employer Recruiting Strategist to figure out which option would work best for your organization.

Room Rental Rates and Event Timing

Employer events are typically 1-1.5 hours long. Student feedback has taught us that students prefer a shorter presentation with ample time for networking. Students also find interactive workshops or educational events/panels to be engaging.
Employer events are typically held Mondays-Thursdays from 5:00-6:30 PM or 7:30-9:00 PM. For daytime events, we recommend that events be held Monday-Friday after 10:00 AM.
Set-up and clean-up time does not need to be factored into an event request in Handshake; please list the specific event start time.
Companies can arrive 30 minutes before the event start time. You must exit the space at your scheduled end time to accommodate the next event.

Submitting an Event Request

You can submit a request for an employer event in NCA’s career platform, Handshake.

Coffee Chats

NCA approves requests for on-campus recruiting space as they as they are received, with priority given to corporate sponsors. We make every effort to process your request as quickly as possible.

You can promote your coffee chats by requesting an event in Handshake.
It is the responsibility of the employer to select the format and location of the coffee chats. Options are below. Please include the format and location in your event description when submitting a request in Handshake.
- Formats:
  - You can host open office hours where students can stop by to meet a representative at any time for any length of time.
  - You can have student sign up for a specific timeslot on either a Google Doc or Doodle. Be sure to include a link to access the Google Doc/Doodle in your event description in Handshake.
- Locations: Please note that space in these locations is available on a first come, first served basis. We recommend arriving well in advance of your coffee chats to secure a space.
  - Coffee Lab – 910 Noyes St. (North End of Campus)
  - Peet’s Coffee - 1622 Chicago Ave.
  - Starbucks – 1734 Sherman Ave.
  - Cupitol – 812 Grove St.
  - Collectivo Coffee – 716 Church St.
  - Philz Coffee – 1030 Davis St.
  - Newport Coffee House – 622 Davis St.
  - Norbucks (Starbucks at Norris University Center) – 1999 Campus Dr. (Outside food is not allowed in this space, please purchase coffee/snacks at Norbucks).
  - Northwestern Career Advancement-630 Lincoln St. (During off-peak season and space permitting, organizations can host coffee chats at NCA’s Interview Center during business hours

Marketing Your Event

Organizations must schedule their information sessions in Handshake at least two weeks prior to the event or RSVP date to receive marketing for their events.* While we cannot send dedicated promotional emails to students on behalf of an employer due to the high volume of marketing material we receive, NCA will include a list of upcoming employer information sessions/recruiting events in our weekly emails to undergraduate and/or graduate students, as well as in industry emails to students who have selected specific career interests in Handshake.

*Please note that organizations will be listed along with other recruiting events that occur during the same day/week.

NCA Employer Events Are Business Casual

In an effort to be more inclusive and to broaden your talent pool, all on-campus employer events are business casual for students. We encourage you and your organization’s representatives to also dress in business casual to make students feel more welcome and comfortable.

Your Employer Recruiting Strategist can also work with you on an engagement and communication strategy. Find more information about building your brand at Northwestern.

Logistics by Venue

Norris University Center

Address and Parking

The Norris University Center is located at 1999 Campus Drive in Evanston, IL 60208
There is free parking available after 4:00 PM in the South Campus Parking Garage located at 1847 Campus Drive in Evanston, IL 60208. No parking pass is required.

Room Rental Rate and Payment

The Norris Events Management team will contact you directly about payment approximately 10 business days after your event.

A/V and Room Setup

The use of a projector and screen is included in the room rental rate for all Norris rooms. The Norris Events Management team will be available to help you set-up your presentation. For events in the Louis room, an A/V technician is required to staff the event; additional fees for the technician are included in the room rental estimate PDF.
The room will be set-up lecture style unless otherwise specified. For other room set-ups, please contact the Norris Events Management team at norris-events@northwestern.edu.

Optional Catering and Shipping

Catering for your employer event is not required, nor do students expect it. If you do choose to order catering, you are required to use the university’s preferred caterer, Compass Group. Please contact Tiffany Scroggins, tiffany.scroggins@northwestern.edu, to place an order.
For events held in Norris, boxes can be shipped to:
Norris University Center
Attn: Dornette Ashley (3rd Floor Admin)
1999 Campus Drive
Evanston, IL 60208
Boxes cannot arrive more than 2 business days in advance of your event. Please inform your Employer Recruiting Strategist if you plan on shipping materials, so that they can be retrieved for your event. NCA cannot ship extra materials back to your office

Guild Lounge

Address and Parking

The Guild Lounge in Scott Hall is located at 601 University Place in Evanston, IL 60208
There is free parking available after 4:00 PM in the South Campus Parking Garage located at 1847 Campus Drive in Evanston, IL 60208. No parking pass is required.

Room Rental Rate and Payment

The Guild Lounge Events Management team will contact you directly about payment approximately 10 business days after your event.

A/V and Room Set-up

The use of a projector, screen, and microphone is included in the room rental rate. Guild Lounge requires an A/V technician to staff the event; additional fees for the technician are included in the room rental estimate PDF.
The room will be set-up lecture style unless otherwise specified. For other room set-ups, please contact Evangeline Johnson, the Guild Lounge Coordinator, at evangeline-johnson@northwestern.edu.

Optional Catering and Shipping

Catering for your employer event is not required, nor do students expect it. If you do choose to order catering, you are required to use the university’s preferred caterer, Compass Group. Please contact Tiffany Scroggins, tiffany.scroggins@northwestern.edu, to place an order.
Event materials cannot be shipped to Guild Lounge. Organizations are responsible for bringing their own materials.

Northwestern Career Advancement

Address and Parking

Northwestern Career Advancement's Garden Level is located at 620 Lincoln Street in Evanston, IL 60208
There is free parking available in the lot that surrounds Northwestern Career Advancement located at 620 Lincoln Street in Evanston, IL 60208. When you arrive, please ask for a parking pass at the front desk.

Room Rental Rate and Payment

There is no cost associated with using the NCA Garden Level.

A/V and Room Set-up

You can connect your laptop to NCA’s TV screen to display a presentation using an HDMI cord. If your laptop does not have an HDMI port, contact your Employer Recruiting Strategist, and we can provide a laptop for you.
The room will be set-up lecture style unless otherwise specified. For other room set-ups, please contact your Employer Recruiting Strategist.

Optional Catering and Shipping

Catering for your employer event is not required, nor do students expect it. If you do choose to order catering, you can order from any caterer or local restaurant in Evanston.
For events held at Northwestern Career Advancement, boxes can be shipped to:

Northwestern Career Advancement
620 Lincoln Street
Evanston, IL 60208

Boxes cannot arrive more than 2 business days in advance of your event. Please inform your Employer Recruiting Strategist if you plan on shipping materials, so that they can be retrieved for your event. NCA cannot ship extra materials back to your office.